I don't own the rights to anything or anybody. But I'm indebted to those that do...in this case, Dick Wolf, NBCUni, USA and whoever else.
Hanratty's is a real place in New York City, it's an upscale restaurant... Hanrattie's is a fictional neighborhood bar somewhere in New York City...
Takes up where "Tired" left off. But can stand alone.
Down at Hanrattie's Pub
Bobby pulled open the door to Hanrattie's and several of his senses were assaulted simultaneously. Surprisingly, he welcomed the onslaught.
Sight – The bar was full with a smoky haze floating above the crowd, a mixture of fog machine and cigarette smoke. In the front of the bar the lights were bright, the liquor was flowing, everyone looking to have a little fun. The lighting dimmed around the dance floor and band in the back for those who had made at least a superficial connection in the front of the bar.
Smell - The smells were overpowering. And layered one upon the other. There was women's perfume, men's cologne, alcohol, stale sweat and cigarette smoke. Obviously, someone had missed the memo about the smoking ban in bars and restaurants. Standing in the doorway, Bobby paused and inhaled deeply.
Hearing – The pounding bass and the muddled undistinguishable lyrics of a cover band playing Van Halen's "Running with the Devil". Bobby chuckled as he was struck by the irony, since he was feeling as if was just barely "OutRunning the Devil". Voices shouting to be heard, and laughter, all types of laughter – a woman's shrill laugh, frat boy, back-slapping male laughter, hysterical out of control drunken laughter. People having fun, it made him smile. It felt foreign and strange, and yet familiar. He did remember it.
Two guys came up behind him and one of them asked, "Are you going in or coming out or what, buddy?"
The other rushed past him as he pushed Bobby aside, "Make a hole, we're coming through."
Bobby muttered, "Sorry." But neither men heard him above the noise of the bar.
"Bobby! Bobby! Over here!" He saw Lewis waving and making his way over. The slightly goofy grin on Lewis' face was almost enough to get Bobby laughing.
"Bobby! I'm so glad you came." Lewis stumbled slightly and as Bobby reached out to lend a steadying hand, Lewis walked right into him and the much shorter man gripped Bobby in a back-slapping bear hug. "So glad you came."
Peeling his friend off him he laughed, "How much have you had to drink?"
"You hurt me. Obviously, not enough, not enough." Lewis led Bobby towards the back. "I'm still standing. I had to keep drinking or they were going to make us give up the table. The place is really jumping tonight. We couldn't leave until you got here, after I told you we were going to be here all night. You would'a been pi-i-ssed when you came down here and we weren't here."
"I'm glad you didn't give up on me showing up tonight."
"What? I can't hear you." Lewis made a motion to encompass all the activity around them.
Leaning down to shout into Lewis' ear he repeated, "I'm glad you didn't give up on me."
Bobby thought Lewis still didn't hear him right, because Lewis looked at him and said, "Never have. Never will."
As they made their way through the crowd, Bobby could see Gina, Lewis's long-time girlfriend sitting at a table with another couple. "Gina! Look… I got Bobby." Lewis adopted a deep baritone, "Bobby G's in the house!"
Gina's smile lit up her face. She stood and came forward and grabbed both his hands. "Aw, geez, Bobby. You look like hell. But it still good to see you."
Embarrassed, Bobby shuffled his feet, "You on the other hand, look great. Just great."
Gina blushed. Bobby's compliments had always affected her that way. She often wondered if she'd met Bobby before she met Lewis... She hid her embarrassment and turn of her thoughts by dragging him the rest of the way to the table to introduce him to the couple sitting there.
"Everyone who didn't already hear, this is Bobby Goren."
Two girls sitting at the table behind them shouted out in singsong voices. "Hi - ya, Bob - by!" Drawing out the syllables and breaking out laughing. Gina turned to them and shot them with a warning glare that flashed a warning, Not tonight girls.
One of them muttered, "Whatever…" as she picked up her drink.
Bobby this is, Cheryl Marten and this is… Mark." She distractedly waved her hand at Mark.
"Hi Bobby". Cheryl said as she smiled up at him.
"Bobby". Mark stood and offered his hand.
"And over here," Gina continued as she turned them to the table on the left, "are Matt and Keri, Donna and Steve, you guys have already met." Matt and Steve raised their beer mugs in salute as Keri smiled and Donna said, "It's been a long time Bobby."
"Yeah, it has been, hasn't it?" Bobby said as gave a small embarrassed wave to the group.
"Come sit with us, Bobby. Hey honey, maybe you should go get us another pitcher of beer, that waitress hasn't been back to check on us in a long time."
Bobby reached for his wallet, but Lewis shook his head. "I got it. Another pitcher of beer…" he looked over at the other table, "… two pitchers of beer coming up."
Steve stood and yelled after Lewis, "Hold up, man. I'll help you."
"You, need to come sit down over here. I need your help getting Cheryl out of a little jam. Mark's attached himself to her and we can't get rid of him." Gina pushed Bobby down into Lewis' chair. "Lewis can find another chair when he gets back."